LA street artist arraigned, accused of tagging buildings in Detroit

Shepard Fairey speaks to a crowd about the symbolism in his work throughout The Belt and on the mural in One Campus Martius.

Graffiti artist Shepard Fairey has been arraigned in Detroit after turning himself in on charges that he tagged buildings in the city.

Fairey was charged in a warrant last month with malicious destruction of property. Police say he caused about $9,000 in damage to some buildings while completing commissioned works, including a large mural, on other structures in the city.

Fairey appeared in court Tuesday via video from a police lockup. A not guilty plea was entered.

A July 28 preliminary examination has been scheduled.

John Roach, a spokesman for Mayor Mike Duggan, told The Associated Press in an email that the city's law department has been in touch with a representative for Fairey.

Fairey told the Detroit Free Press after flying to Detroit on Monday that he couldn't discuss the issue.

Last week, a Detroit Law Department official said Fairey was arrested in Los Angeles and later released.

Police say about $9,000 in damage was done to other structures while he was in Detroit to complete commissioned works.

In May, Fairey painted what was his largest mural ever on one of the 185-foot exterior walls of One Campus Martius. The mural, which took more than 300 cans of spray paint to complete, was commissioned by Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC and Meridian Health. The Library Street Collective worked with Bedrock to bring Fairey to Detroit, and had been in contact with Fairey for the past two years. Read about that mural here.